Zim's Brau Haus purchased by Long-Time TD Country Club Operator

From left to right: Rachel Miller, Jason Miller, Connie Ford and Bill Ford.

By Tom Peterson

It’s Wednesday, May 3. 

Taco Day at Zim's Brau Haus Restaurant & Sports Bar in The Dalles.

Waiters are tending to those lunching. 

And owners Connie and Bill Ford are sitting at a back table with Rachel and Jason Miller. It’s cool and dark and beer glasses run wet with condensation.

The Millers have been revealed as the new owners of the business at 604 E. Second St. in The Dalles. The Fords put it on the market a few months ago. 

And friends and long-time patrons are swinging by the table giving Rachel Miller a hug and chatting with the Fords. 

“Everybody’s excited,” said Connie. “No one said, ‘Oh no.’”

Miller who spent 24 years at The Dalles Country Club and then went onto the Hi-Way House is a veteran in The Dalles restaurant and bar industry. She’s also TDHS Class ‘96. 

“Congratulations,” Bodie Sanders tells Miller on his way out the door. 

While the transition is not yet complete as background and regulatory checks must be completed by the state’s OLCC and Lottery agencies, it’s a done deal. 

Now it’s just a matter of timing and making a clean split on payroll as the Fords cede control to the Millers. 

The Fords took a huge risk when they bought the business in 2005. Both were taking a 4-month hiatus from the car sales industry when the opportunity arose to purchase the bar. 

And it needed work. 

Bill said it was not long before they were heavily invested, digging into their 401k accounts. 

“It’s unbelievable where you took it from,” Miller said.

Bob Fraley who owned the building then provided financial help.

“He was great,” Bill said. “Bob knew what we were getting into. And he lent us the money when we needed it.”

And while the place was rundown and had a poor reputation, Connie said they kept the name as it had been established since the 1970s and they did not want to alienate customers. 

But they cleaned it up, with an eye to expanding the customer base.

They removed the blackout from the windows, added skylights, moved the kitchen, moved the front pool table to add family dining, created a sports bar, and added a backroom for lottery games. 

It took time but they kept after it. 

It may seem overwhelming, but the Fords come from a background that includes running grocery stores, Curves even two different roller skating rinks, including the Old Mill Skate Center, which was across the street from Big Jim’s Drive-In.

Bill sold and managed 2 dealerships for 21 years as well. So, he had a ready customer base.

He said when they started he warned the staff that they would fill the place on the first night.

A full video lottery room was added in the rear of the building under the direction of the Fords.

They did. 

The Millers intend to continue that success by not messing with the recipe.

“We don’t plan on pulling knobs and turning levers,” Jason said. “We’re not going to screw it up.”

Rachel said they had been watching the business improve for years and had been hoping it would come for sale. 

“If they were not here,” she said of the Fords, “I would not be in the Zim’s business.”

Rachel, 45, will take the lead in the operation of the bar and Jason, 47 will take a supporting role, they said.

Jason is also keeping his day job working for Wilbur Ellis in Branded Technology - Pro Market. He works with golf courses, landscapers, forestry and vegetation management. He said he deals with procurements, regulations, supply chains, and even pricing. 

Rachel said she would never marry a golfer, but when Jason showed up at The Dalles Country Club, she changed her mind. 

Live music has been a staple of entertainment at Zim’s.

They were married in 2014 and have 5 children between them. When they retire it's possible one of them may take on the responsibilities of Zim’s.

And the Fords - it's a bit bittersweet - Bill plans to get back surgery soon to improve his mobility and quality of life and they intend to travel. 

But the change is not easy.

“I’m not wanting to give it up yet,” Connie said. “I’m dragging my feet.”